[Management of individual body weight growth of infant squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) in indoor breeding colony].
We biometrically analyzed the body weight growth data of new-born squirrel monkeys, obtained during the nursing period from 0 to 12 weeks of age. Body weight (y in grams) could be expressed as a function of birth weight (a in grams) and age (x in weeks) by the following equation: y = a + b x, where b indicates growth rate. This equation corresponded significantly with actual growth curves (R2 = 0.96). The frequency distribution of b values was demonstrated to be abnormal distribution. This value was used to judge whether the body weight growth of each monkey was normal or abnormal. The lower control limit (LCL) was calculated by using a linear equation with the b value of 9.07 (M-1.25 x S.D.) and each birth weight. For the monkeys whose body weight was above the LCL during the first three weeks after birth, it was determined whether the frequency of weighings could be reduced from 13 to 7. Using the same animals, no significant difference was detected between the b value estimated from 13 measurements and that estimated from 7 measurements. Thus, from the standpoint of management's policy to save labor, the frequency of weighings could be reduced. A new daily routine has been established in our primate center to save labor by reducing the number of body weighings of the many infant monkeys. In the new program, newborn monkeys whose body weight is above the LCL are weighed only 7 times during the nursing period of 12 weeks, while those whose weight is below the LCL are weighed 8 to 13 times.
Hamano
M
M
Corporation for Production and Research of Laboratory Primates, Ibaraki, Japan.
Yoshida
T
T
Cho
F
F
Goto
N
N
D000367:Age Factors; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory / Q000254:growth & development*; D001835:Body Weight; D002427:Cebidae / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012453:Saimiri / Q000254:growth & development*